A piece of Memphis history

I got a rare opportunity to take some photographs inside one of the oldest continuously-operating businesses in downtown Memphis, Tennessee recently. This building is being repurposed as a part of a larger project, but the history inside these walls tells the story of Memphis from almost as far back as the Civil War. Operated as a foundry and a machine shop, much of the equipment inside is no longer manufactured, and the tools and industrial parts and machines that were made here contributed greatly to the industry which built the country we know today. It’s hard to sometimes imagine how an industry as basic as forging iron and steel, and machining it into the products we use every day can be exciting, but the next time you start your car, or catch a flight, or take for granted all the conveniences we rely on, please remember that we have the men and women that built and used these machines to thank.